Sir Keir Starmer has warned of a "very significant volume of material" that needs reviewing for Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. The Prime Minister wrote to Parliament's security watchdog on Friday, affirming the Government's commitment to urgency and transparency in the document release process.
The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is assessing which documents can be released to Parliament. In his letter to committee chairman Lord Beamish, Starmer acknowledged the substantial task ahead. He said: "As you note in your letter, it is important that documents are made available to Parliament as soon as possible, noting that there is likely to be a very significant volume of material that will need to be reviewed to establish whether it is in scope."
The review must consider material that could be prejudicial to UK national security and international relations. It must also take into account requirements from an ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation.
Government Coordination
Starmer asked the Cabinet Secretary to work directly with Lord Beamish's committee. He wrote: "I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to work with you and your committee to agree the detail of how material that may be prejudicial to the UK's National Security and International Relations is shared and reviewed, having regard to the requirements of the Metropolitan Police investigation."
The Prime Minister emphasized the Government's approach to the process. He stated: "Above all else, the Government wishes to engage constructively with the ISC, and to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency it deserves. I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to follow up."
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
